I received an ARC of Stardust in Their Veins for free from Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

After the action and adventure in the first book of the series, I had high hopes for Stardust in Their Veins. I won't say that I was disappointed, but there was a definite case of second-book syndrome. It just felt like nothing happened, plot-wise. The book was excellent, don't get me wrong. But there wasn't much in the way of things happening. There wasn't any action. And after the ending of Castles in Their Bones, I expected action.

Now, that was the only thing that I disliked about this book. I enjoyed the characters' interactions and the growth they all showed. I love Daphne and Beatriz and their ragtag group of friends they've gathered along the way. I even enjoyed the addition of the new point of view character, which I was not expecting. I won't spoil it and say who it is, but I after finding some things out, I understand why she was added.

I also still enjoyed the amount of plotting that the characters do. Each one of them has to think thirteen steps into the future because each of them has been trained to anticipate people's actions that far out, and it's crazy to see how it all comes together in the end.

And that ending! Again! I'm a little upset that I got to read this book early because now I have to wait even longer for the next one to come out. Even though I didn't like this one quite as much as the first, this is still a fantastic series, and the third book is now one of my most anticipated reads for the next year.

Not as strong of an installment as the first book, but still enjoyable for the most part!

While the focus of the story is controlling kingdoms, it's still light on the court politics, which I like. The scheming is done in a way that is accessible and doesn't get bogged down with mundane details or dense military strategy. I feel like this continues to make the actual manipulations more impactful. I also found all of the POVs to be equally interesting.

But the major weakness of this sequel is that it's too drawn out. The length is way too long and could definitely use some editing down. The plot and pacing also could be tweaked a bit more so that it's not as slow. It's just not as engaging and fun as the first book is.

But overall, I think readers who have remained invested in these characters and the story that began in ‘Castle in Their Bones’ should be looking forward to picking up this sequel.

Happy Thursday y'all! I hope everyone's been having a good week so far- mine has been busy, but great! Work wise, I've had so many projects to complete, personal life wise, I've had plans pretty much every night, which is a lot for me, and book wise, I've finished 3 books so far this week, which is great. One of those books was Stardust in Their Veins which comes out on Tuesday, 2/7, and is the 2nd book in the Castles in Their Bones series. Thank you so much to Delacorte Press and Netgalley for letting me read an eARC of this book!
Stardust in Their Veins 4/5 Stars
Summary from Goodreads:
Immerse yourself in the second book in a fantasy trilogy from the New York Times bestselling author of the Ash Princess series. The sequel to Castles in Their Bones is the story of three princesses and the destiny they were born for: seduction, conquest, and the crown.
Princesses Beatriz and Daphne have lost their older sister, but their mother's grand scheme of taking the continent of Vesteria is far from complete. With the country of Temarin now under the Empress's control, only the nations of Cellaria and Friv remain free from her rule. What's worse, an ominous prophecy has begun to shine through the constellations: the blood of stars and majesty spilled.
Usurped by conniving cousins Nico and Gigi, Beatriz fears for her life, while in icy Friv, Daphne continues her shaky alliance with the rebels even as she struggles to stay a step ahead of them. But when an unlikely ally offers Beatriz a deal, she finds herself back in her mother's sights.
With enemies around every corner and the stars whispering of betrayal, Daphne and Beatriz can't trust anyone—least of all each other. If they've learned anything, though, it's that the Empress's game is constantly changing. And the arrival of surprise visitors from Temarin just might tip the scales in the princesses' favor . . . if they manage to avoid meeting their sister's fate before they can make their next move.
This was such a great sequel to Castles in Their Bones! While I didn't like it quite as much as I liked Castles in Their Bones, it was still a really great book where Empress Margeaux was still 5 steps ahead of her daughters at all times, no matter what Daphne and Beatriz thought. I really liked how in this book we got to see more of Daphne and her growth as a character. I also liked all of the Violie chapters and how large of a part she played in the book- I'm very excited to see where things go with her in book 3! I also enjoyed the revelations that Beatriz got about herself and who she is and what that means for the continent as a whole. I also really like Bairre and Pasquale and how they help their respective princesses grow and even Leopold grew on me in this book. I cannot wait to see where Laura Sebastian takes things in the next book! Make sure y'all keep up with everything these princesses are doing and everything their mother has planned by picking up Stardust in Their Veins as soon as it comes out on the 7th!

Overall I think those who loved the original installment will be satisfied with this second book. There were lots of twists and turns, different personalities of the POV characters, and some growth overall for characters and relationships.

However, I wasn’t a huge fan of the first book, and noticed the same problems with this one that I had hoped might be addressed. The first 75% of the plot is quite meandering. I continued to feel that the world was thinly drawn, the present tense 3rd person POV was clunky and awkward (I personal feel that choice needs very evocative prose like Addie Larue, which this book does not have). I also struggled to care as much about the characters (other than Daphne) as I felt I should, and it felt like it could have easily been 100 pages shorter with editing and less repetitive scenes.

I will likely read the final book because I’m still interested to know what happens (and see more from Daphne), but I will go in expecting these same issues.

I enjoyed the book just as much is the first, if not more! I really love the interesting world building and how this book takes place in multiple different countries, each so different with their own laws and political issues that effect everything Daphne and Beatrice do. It was well paced and had me on the edge of my seat at times never know what was going to come next. I am glad that Daphne started to finally believe her sister and choose the right side! After that ending, I can’t wait to see what is next for everyone!

This is the sequel to Castles in Their Bones. It probably won't make much sense unless you read that first. Having lost their oldest sister, Princesses Daphne and Beatriz are trying to make sure that the nations of Friv and Cellaria remain free from the Empress's rule. And to add even more doom and gloom on top of that, an ominous prophecy has begun to shine through the constellations: the blood of stars and majesty spilled. Usurped by conniving cousins Nico and Gigi, Beatriz fears for her life, while in icy Friv, Daphne continues her shaky alliance with the rebels even as she struggles to stay a step ahead of them. But when an unlikely ally offers Beatriz a deal, she finds herself back in her mother's sights.
With enemies around every corner and the stars whispering of betrayal, Daphne and Beatriz can't trust anyone--least of all each other. If they've learned anything, though, it's that the Empress's game is constantly changing. And the arrival of surprise visitors from Temarin just might tip the scales in the princesses' favor . . . if they manage to avoid meeting their sister's fate before they can make their next move.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for this e-arc.*

The sequel to Castle in their Bones releases in February, and it will not disappoint. Sebastian does a great job at developing her main characters even more. So much so that the reader becomes invested. The story is very well written.

The only thing I didn’t like is the cliffhanger ending that I will have to wait a year to find out what happens.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

I’m giving this one 3.5 stars. The characters are intriguing however I felt this one lacked some of the excitement the first book had. I just didn’t feel this one moved as quickly so it was a little harder to get through but the lead up to the third book does make me excited. I’m hopeful the next one will have a little more action and adventure.

Laura Sebastian's Castle in Their Bones series continues and I am still loving it. There is not a lot happening in the YA world right now to be excited about. This series while being a little tropey is likeable in all the best ways. I enjoyed watching the characters grow in this book. It's hard to write a good YA series that is simultaneously readable and relatable while being trendy.

If you read the first book and liked it. You will enjoy this one. It really nails it.

#netgalley

“ I love you all the way to the stars. “

POLITICAL INTRIGUE GALORE. I will never understand why more people aren’t talking about this series. And this second book?! It had so much character growth, like all of the main characters truly start finding theirselves and growing into who they’re meant to be and I just adored it. There’s some tender moments and some sitting on the edge of my seat moments and I can’t believe we have to wait until next year for the third one 😫.

Daphne, my least favorite character, became very intriguing to me in Stardust. What with whatever is going on with her magic and what it could mean for the plot, I feel like something grander then even the Empress is a-brewing but I’m not exactly sure what yet.

I really don’t want to say much else about Stardust because a lot could give away what happened in Castles BUT if you love any of the following, this series 100% is for you. I do have one complaint to say though, WHY CHANGE THE COVERS?! I 100% will be ordering a UK copy since they kept the cover the same 😅. Oh also, this is more of a slow burn book, FYI.

Read if you like:
- Multiple POV’s
- Political intrigue
- Diabolical plots
- Slower angsty romance brewing but not quite there yet
- Rebellions galore
- REVENGE
- Very unpredictable (to me at least lol)
- Idk, so much more 😂

Stardust in Their Veins is the sequel to 2022's Castles in Their Bones. This second novel follows Beatriz and Daphne, as well as a new perspective, Violie, as they continue to try and navigate their mother's political machinations, as well as employing a few plots of their own.

I greatly enjoyed Castles in Their Bones last year, so I was so excited when I received this new novel. Yet after a string of lackluster YA novels, I was a little nervous to dive into it. Fortunately, I'm happy to say, that this was just as good as the first!

I love a book with good plotting and political intrigue. Book 1 had it in spades and I was so happy that book 2 continued the trend. There were points that had me on the edge of my seat and other points that had me wanting to reach into the pages and shake a character (largely Daphne).

I also enjoy how bold these books are. There were some events that really moved the plot along and that I just did not see coming, just like in book 1. The author is not afraid to make big moves and write the unexpected. It makes it really fun to read (and tense) because you realize nothing and no one is safe. It's unique and makes things feel more high-stakes than many other YA novels, which often seem to follow the same tired formula.

I also loved the cliffhanger at the end. I think I know where she's going to end up and I hope I'm right because I desperately need more that ship in the next book. That may be my sole complaint for this one is that I needed more Nico.

I also really enjoyed the characters. Their development is great and realistic. Even though I wanted to shake Daphne in this book and the last, I could see the journey she was on and the steps she was taking along her arc. It was so satisfying when her reality was finally checked!

Overall, a great follow up novel. I'm so excited to read the final novel and can't wait for it's release!

I recommend this to fans of YA fantasy and those looking for great political intrigue in a YA book!

Thank you Netgalley and Delacorte Press for allowing me to read and review this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

"They haven't seen the last of us. And soon enough, they'll wish they'd killed us when they had a chance."

Stardust in Their Veins is the second installment of the, very underrated, Castles in Their Bones trilogy. After the horrific events and terrible cliffhanger of book one, I was prepared for the onslaught of grief.

We follow along Violie, Daphne, and Beatriz point of views as they start off separated and come together for another explosive ending.

"I love you all the way to the stars."

While I really liked this book, I did have difficulties reading Daphne's point of view at first. She is not my favorite of the three sisters and her denial about their mother bothered me. Toward the middle to end of the story I started to like her development.

I do love big books but Stardust in Their Veins is pretty long. There is quite a bit of build up and important character development but I do feel there were some moments that needed to be edited down a notch. The pacing suffered a little bit from that but I was engaged in the story and the characters.

"I've told you the truth, Bairre, about everything, and there may be a lot that I've done that you might view as unforgivable, but we both know that goes both ways. The only difference is that I've told you my secrets; you're still keeping plenty of yours."

The romance is almost non-existent this time. There are little bits and pieces and one couple I'm rooting for, but it's not the sole-focus of the book. There is a lot of politics, rebellion activity, and many, many secrets being kept from others. I am a lover of romance in stories but I did not feel sad by it's absence. There is quite a bit of tension in a scene or two to tide me over until book three.

"It takes bravery to open one's eyes and refuse to close them again, even when it would be so much easier to."

Stardust in Their Veins focuses on the sister's grief, revenge, and revelations. I do love the development of Beatriz and her star-magic, Daphne is slowly becoming a favorite of mine even with the chapters in the beginning, and I feel so bad for Violie at the end.

Laura Sebastian is a favorite author of mine and I do love the way she writes her characters. If you loved Castles in Their Bones, I believe you will enjoy this intensely written sequel. I don't think any one of us is going to be ready for the amount of hurt that's going to come in book three.

4.5 stars

This was a very enjoyable second installation in what I consider to be an underrated fantasy series. The story is full of drama, intrigue, suspense, romance, and revenge. The writing is well done and will grasp you in as a reader with its intensity and high stakes. I did feel, however, that this book was a little long, at over 500 pages. Don't get me wrong--A LOT happens and it is very interesting, but some of the slower parts I wish could have been progressed quicker. I'm eager to see what happens in the next book!

I received a copy through NetGalley for review.

So I had enjoyed Castles in Their Bones, so it was nice to see this second book, hold in that same manner and it did not disappoint.

Remaining sisters Daphne and Beatriz have to decide if they are going to continue with their mother's plan for them, to marry and destroy the countries they were sent into or realize they are their mother's pawns and escape the same fate of their sister Sophronia told them was awaiting them, just before she lost her head.

Empress Maragaraux is playing the long game and if it goes as she has planned, she will be the last one standing, with 3 other countries snapped up under her rule, not her daughters.
Beatriz and her husband are deposed and under arrest- Beatriz accused of star magic, and her husband's rule- overthrown by his cousin's and their rebel parties- betrayed. Daphne and her prince are still unmarried, their wedding beseeched both time by rebels. Both countries set upon by their own inner unrest they'll never see the Empress coming, and her daughters are worth more to her dead than alive, but only if they die in the right way, place and moment for her to sweep in for the broken pieces.

Beatriz and Daphne have to decide if they believe the words their sister Sophronia sent them, just before her execution. Or if they'll be dutiful and carry out their mother's wishes, the mission they were trained 16 years for.

But perhaps the Empress trained her daughters too well, if they can switch tactics and gain allies in the places they were sent, use their skills, perhaps they can turn the tide before they loose their lives in their mother's game. It's not too late.

Curious to see who makes it out alive in the beginning of the third book.

This sequel just did not work for me. I wanted to love this and was excited for it, but quickly I remembered why I liked, but didn't love, the first one. There's so many characters, most of whom are indistinguishable from each other. The main leads are flat and I found myself not really caring about most of the characters. It was clunky and weirdly-paced, and without strong characters I loved, I couldn't overlook these other areas. Unfortunately, this series is just a miss for me.

This is not a groundbreaking fantasy series but it does what it sets out to do incredibly well. In Stardust in Their Veins, the stakes are raised and the pace picks up as the surviving sisters cope with Sophie's death in vastly different ways -- ways which have grave consequences throughout the kingdoms. We also get to learn much more about Violet and others in the sisters' orbit, all of whom are more complicated than they may initially seem. And once again, Sebastian ends the novel and a hell of a cliffhanger. I can't wait to see where this series goes next.

First off, I think this book series is very under rated and I don't hear a lot of people talk about it. If you love political fantasy with rebellion with found family, this is the perfect series for you. I loved the first book and I think the second book is even better. I am sad I have to wait at least another year to figure out what is going to happen. Laura Sebastian is not afraid to go there and I was shocked at the ending of this book as well as the first. I don't want to say too much as to spoil the first book but this second book is great. I did not feel as though it had middle book syndrome at all and the world building and the political depth in this book is amazing. Highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys YA fantasy. 5 out of 5 stars.

**Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy. All thoughts are my own.**

I loved the Ash Princess series, and I'm loving this series too! The characters are brilliant and you never know what each of them are going to do next! A real page turner of a fantasy.

Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

STARDUST IN THEIR VEINS is the sequel to CASTLES IN THEIR BONES, which ended on somewhat of a cliffhanger. Sophronia's death is fresh on the minds of Beatriz and Daphne. As years of planning begin to play out, the remaining sisters begin to see what their mother has in store, whether or not they want to believe it.

I think my favorite aspect of STARDUST IN THEIR VEINS is watching Beatriz and Daphne learn to trust themselves more. The triplets were born and raised to take down kingdoms. But they couldn't imagine in their wildest dreams that Empress Margarauz would kill her own daughters to achieve penultimate reign. Now Beatriz and Daphne face a crisis in faith about their mother and they must decide to honor Sophronia's death or appease the empress. Sophronia's death was a sobering moment and a hard lesson they can now either heed or ignore.

This book is heavier on the plotting and thwarting than its prequel and, as a result, I thought the pace was slower. I think every moment is important to the story and sets the stage, though, for the final book. So rest assured there is a purpose. But I did find myself skimming some passages. I like to try and guess what each person is up to in these types of books. There were enough moving pieces, though, that I gave up (in a good way) and went with the flow.

Like CASTLES IN THEIR BONES, the romance is minimal, which, lately, I tend to prefer when I read Young Adult fantasy books. I also think this lack of romance fits the story, so to speak, as there is plenty of suspicion and distrust to go around. However, I am rooting for one potential avenue of romance, but who knows what the author has up her sleeve!

There is a little more worldbuilding in this installment as Sophoronia's death shook up the game. However, the bulk of the story focuses on interactions between the various characters rather than exploring the three kingdoms. The reader becomes privy to a little more of the star magic system introduced in the first book. It's really more of a tease in this sequel, though, so I hope we learn even more in the final book.

Overall, STARDUST IN THEIR VEINS is a solid companion to CASTLES IN THEIR BONES. This YA fantasy is a perfect read for those who prefer a heavy dose of political machinations and subterfuge with a sprinkle of romance, magic, and worldbuilding. I'm looking forward to the grand finale of this trilogy.

[To be posted on www.aliteraryescape.com.]

4.5/5💫
Oh my GOSH I could not put this down!! I think this easily goes in the middle grade for adults section, and it reminded me of reading Gail Carson Levine for the first time 🥰
The cover was improved from the last one, smart move, your reprints will be even better 👍
The STRESS LEVEL of this middle grade book, knowing the sociopathic mother truly does know everything and we are deluding ourselves by pretending she doesn’t is a little painful, but without that high tension this just wouldn’t be the same book.
Every page turn I was expecting another beheading, and I loved it.

Thank you to netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!